{"id":41647,"date":"2022-09-05T13:28:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-05T13:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.designbombs.com\/?p=41647"},"modified":"2022-09-04T13:29:16","modified_gmt":"2022-09-04T13:29:16","slug":"how-to-rasterize-in-photoshop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.designbombs.com\/how-to-rasterize-in-photoshop\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Rasterize in Photoshop"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever seen “This layer must be rasterized before proceeding. Rasterize the layer?” pop up in Photoshop<\/a> and wondered precisely what causes it? I mean, of course, it means you have to rasterize the layer, but why? What is rasterizing? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rasterizing a layer is something you’ll do a lot in Photoshop, even if you’re a photo editor. Today, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to rasterize in Photoshop. This includes Smart Objects, shapes, and text layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does Rasterize Mean in Photoshop?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The act of “rasterization” is changing a vector-based layer to a pixel-based layer. You cannot convert a pixel layer to a vector layer, however. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vector Layers <\/strong>\u2014 <\/strong>Vectors are graphics based on mathematical formulas. The graphics consist of points, curves, lines, and colors. Adobe Illustrator<\/a> is a vector-based program. You can resize a vector shape endlessly, and the edges will remain sharp and crisp. However, you cannot use pixel-based editing tools on vector images. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pixel Layers <\/strong>\u2014 Pixel layers are used for any pixel-based editing tools. Meaning the tool physically changes the look of a pixel. Photoshop is primarily a pixel-based editor. This is also known as “raster-based.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Keep in mind that, in Photoshop<\/a>, vector layers are still technically pixel-based because Photoshop is raster-based, unlike Illustrator, which is a true vector program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, the vector shapes in Photoshop are referred to as “vexel,” as they are a combination of vector and pixel. However, in Photoshop, vector layers function similarly to traditional vector shapes and text. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The outsider is Smart Objects, which are layers with other layers inside of them. But in Photoshop, they function the same as Shape and Text layers, where you can\u2019t edit them with pixel-based tools until they are rasterized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Should You Rasterize Your Layers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You should only rasterize a layer when you need to use a pixel-based editing tool directly on that vector layer. This includes all brush<\/a>-based tools and filters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, the outsider here is Smart Objects. All filters applied to a Smart Object will be turned into a Smart Filter. However, you can not use brush-based tools directly on Smart Objects.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Text Layers, Smart Objects, and Shape Layers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Text layers, Smart Objects, and Shape layers are the three vector layers you\u2019ll use most in Photoshop. Though there are others, like Fill layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anytime you’re working with text, shapes, or Smart Objects, there comes the point where you’ll need to rasterize a layer. Let’s look at the pros and cons of rasterizing layers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Pros and Cons of Rasterizing Layers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pros:<\/strong> The biggest pro is the ability to now use pixel-based tools on a layer. As Photoshop is raster-based, almost all its tools prefer to be editing a raster or pixel layer. Pixel layers are much more flexible than vector layers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cons:<\/strong> Once a vector layer is rasterized, shapes and text can no longer be scaled without at least some loss of quality. Text can no longer be changed. And Smart Objects become flattened, so you can no longer edit its Smart Filters or inner layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Is Photoshop Telling Me I Need to Rasterize a Layer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are getting the “This layer must be rasterized before proceeding. Rasterize the layer?” prompt, that means you are attempting to use a pixel-based tool on a vector layer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The layer will need to be rasterized and converted to a pixel layer before you can apply the effect or use the tool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to Rasterize in Photoshop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let’s look at how to rasterize a layer in Photoshop. There are two similar but different ways to rasterize a layer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Option 1: In the Layers Panel Right-Click > Rasterize Layer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First, select the layer you’d like to rasterize in your layer panel and Right-click > Raster Layer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Option 2: Use Layer > Rasterize > Layer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, you can go to Layer > Rasterize > Layer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Option 3: How to Rasterize an Image in Photoshop with a Pixel Brush<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another option is to try and edit the vector layer using a pixel-based brush like the Paint tool. When Photoshop<\/a> prompts you to rasterize, select “OK.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to Avoid Rasterizing in Photoshop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The only way to avoid rasterizing a layer is not to edit those layers using raster-based tools and filters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are plenty of ways to work “non-destructive” in Photoshop, so the vector layer stays protected and intact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does “Non-Destructive Editing” Mean? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Non-destructive editing means editing in a way that does not permanently edit, change, add, or destroy pixels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some examples of non-destructive editing tools in Photoshop:<\/p>\n\n\n\n